Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

I always say in a five-match series the best team always win, it's five games and and it's such a long process that you always end up the best team winning.

I honestly think England have been the better team in this series.

Australia won the first two games and England will look back, particularly at Edgbaston, where they missed so many opportunities in the field and they had the period with the bat at Lord's where they were 180-1 and Australia's spinner Nathan Lyon was walking round the edge of the boundary injured. Pat Cummins turned to the bouncer theory and it worked, England lost all those wickets with silly batting and a mad approach.

It's dreadfully disappointing. It is the wrong way to decide a Test match, never mind an Ashes-defining kind of Test match.

Australia captain Pat Cummins at the post-match presentation: "Our preference is to come over here and win the Ashes but it is nice to retain. It's not the best circumstances but the group should be proud of themselves.

"It does feel very different to 2019 here. We wanted to win this time. Whatever happened here today it doesn't really change how we look at The Oval next week.

"It is only the last year or two I've dreamed of holding the Ashes aloft. We've turned up motivated and it will be a very special moment at the Oval and even more special if we get a win.

"It was tough in the field this week. They batted really well. We tried a few different things and it didn't come off. We weren't at our best with some planning and particularly our execution but they played fantastically on the second day.

"I feel pretty good actually. I had a little break coming into the series and that's helped. I haven't bowled many balls in between games. I wasn't at my best this week but I'll be ready for next week.

"Marnus Labuschagne was fantastic, along with Marshy yesterday. He had A real flow to his game. It was good to show his class."

England captain Ben Stokes at the post-match presentation: "It is a tough one to take. Playing the cricket we managed to play over the first three days and get on the wrong side of the weather it is tough to take but it is all part of the journey.

"Coming into the game, knowing what we needed to do, played in our hands a little bit. It was another do or die game for us. We couldn't have done too much more. It will be tough to look back on but there is one more game to go and we'll be trying to tie the series and a lot of pride to play for.

"The injury to Ollie Pope made us think about the structure of our team and bringing in Chris Woakes helps so much. I'm very pleased with everyone's efforts that has played in this series."

On Zak Crawley: "I've been very vocal about anything that has been thrown at me about him. I pick players for what they can do on their best days. He can change games. He takes bowlers on and if he stays at the crease for any length of time he'll take the game on. It was incredible viewing. We knew that an innings like that was never far away. It just shows what faith can do when you see it every day."

On Stuart Broad reaching 600 wickets: "It is amazing. Him and Jimmy have just been an amazing example of international sportspeople. He has been a quality performer. It is amazing to have someone like him on your team. You know you're only round the corner from one of those spells he keeps on delivering."

Any regrets on the declaration at Edgbaston: "No."

Player of the match Zak Crawley at the post-match presentation: "It is pretty flat, we were in a good position to win but the weather has cost us. We're disappointed but we know we're playing good cricket and we're building as a side.

"We've played a lot of good cricket in the fist three days an gave ourselves a chance of winning on day three and yesterday so it is disappointing.

"It was my best innings for England. It has to be my favourite one. I rode my luck at times but I played really nicely and I was happy.

"I've felt in good touch all series and just haven't had the score yet. I felt it was coming and thankfully it came in this game. I'll take a lot of confidence from this series, their bowlers are all high quality and there's no let up.

"Every game is massively important for us. We're going well as a side and it would be nice to get it back to 2-2."

Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

England will have to admit that they made mistakes early in the series, particularly in those first two games.

But they have played a brand of cricket, particularly this week.

I've not seen an England side - I know we've beaten Australia a few times in the last 20 times - but I don't remember a Test match where England have completely dominated and bullied an Australia side.

This is the number one team in the world and England have really dismantled them this week and it's been an Australia side that has been playing for the rain. They've been playing for it all week.

They picked a side that were just settling, with the deep batting and not playing a spinner. Their mentality and field settings and their negativity this week has been very, very unlike Australia.

Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special

I'm pleased for Australia that they have got to this point because there has been moments in the last few months you never thought it was possible.

It's what you do when it matters and that's what has happened, whether you go by the premature declaration or missed chances.

I hope England come with a sustained performance at The Oval which can be difficult to do.

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

It's been a thrilling series since Ben Stokes declared and the way England have prepared. England will now be fighting to draw the Ashes whereas Australia will want to win the Ashes outright. It's a shame this has happened after such an exciting series.

Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

From the moment we walked into the ground this morning it just didn't feel right.

This is no way to retain the Ashes, let's be honest. Australia will take it though.

It's similar to 2019 but this feels very different. They were the better team then.

Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

Australia's job this week was to not lose this Test and retain the Ashes.

They had to survive three days and they played this game in that survival mode.

They've looked a bit ugly and negative doing it.

Australia came in with a clear plan, probably not the usual Australia way, but they achieved it.

A very sad end to a brilliant Test.

I've got no doubt that the final Test at The Oval, which starts on Thursday, will be a cracker too, but it is such a shame it is not going to be a decider.

We've had zero action on day five and just 30 overs on Saturday. It's extremely hard to win any Test, let alone an Ashes Test, in three days and a session.

Australia retain the Ashespublished at 17:24 British Summer Time 23 July 2023

17:24 BST 23 July 2023Breaking

Image source, Getty Images

More flat lemonade than champagne moment.

Nevertheless, a draw here with Australia 2-1 up in the series - and just one Test to play - means they have retained the Ashes.

Image source, Getty Images

Official confirmation that play has been abandoned for the day without a ball being bowled.

The fourth Ashes Test match is drawn.

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

It's that bad out there they're not even trying to clear the puddles. It's going to take at least an hour and 40, it seems peculiar.

We can see umpires Joel Wilson and Nitin Menon.

They are making their way to the Australia changing room by the looks of things.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

What is going on here?

The outfield is under water. It's been raining non-stop since 10:45 BST.

Pat Cummins seems happy...

Image source, Getty Images

Thanks Timothy.

Please, for once, can cricket just show some common sense and call this off?

There are puddles all over the outfield. We are not going to see any cricket today.

We will still have the presentations when the match is eventually called off.

My colleague Callum Matthews is in the hot seat to take you through to the bitter end.